Category: Vacations

The video is a compilation of still shots using a Ken Burns style of motion, sound tracks, short videos. Apple redesigned their iMovie program so much so I have not wanted to work in that medium for years. Someday I will learn it all over again. As of yet, someday is a way’s off. Note video is 10:30 minutes in length.

The morning we left MSP airport it was so cold the plane would not start. We missed our connecting flight, and forced to stay the night in Puerto Rico. The next day we paid a small fee to rebook tickets on Vieques Air.

We rented a Jeep which worked great for getting to remote snorkeling spots. In addition to being able to handle the rough terrain we discovered Jeeps have great heaters. A nice thing to have after being in the Caribbean Sea for hours.

Snorkeling and playing in the water was great fun, the accommodations were junk. The air conditioning did not work well, and the bedroom widows were permanently preeminently closed. When laying in bed you could see black mold on the ceiling.

It seems Vieques comes alive at 11:00 PM and quiets down around 3:00 AM. There were several bar restaurants right next door. The air conditioner provided white noise but little else. Each night we moved the mattress to the living space, and stored it in the hallway during the day. Daytime adventures were fantastic, evenings, well . . . . . not so much.

For the past (15) years getting out of Minnesota during the month of February has been a destination goal. ‘Out’ being the operative word meaning, “Some place warm.” Curacao is a Lesser Antilles island in the southern Caribbean Sea and the Dutch Caribbean region, about 65 km (40 mi) north of the Venezuelan coast. It is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

It was not surprising to hear islanders and vacationers speaking Dutch, German, French, or the island language Papiamento. Our accommodations were at a Dutch mini-resort (8 units). Several times during our (9) day stay we engaged in poolside visits. Deb and I were the only individuals limited to a single language. One woman could speak (5) languages. Everyone else spoke a minimum of (3) languages. If a translation hick-up occurred and English slipped into Dutch for example, someone would suggest bringing the translation back to English so everyone could participate. We felt honored every time that occurred. Communication was not an issue. Admittedly I felt somewhat under educated.

Wandering downtown Willemstad, the capital of Curacao, we entered a Synagogue. Founded in Curaçao in 1651, the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue (translates to The Hope of Israel). An interesting feature was the sand floor. We arrived near closing time and the door monitor waived the $10.00 entry fee. “Hey twenty bucks is twenty bucks.”

Google maps did not function on Curacao, but Maps.me did. I drove the tiny Kia Picanto car and Deb navigated. A silly rule in Curacao is that if you are in an accident, “Do not move the vehicles.” Well that happened. A bus rear ended a car, and the accident clogged one lane of a two lane road. Neither the bus or the car moved off to the side. The wrinkled fenders and busted glass were proudly being displayed for all to see. Our digs were only a quarter of a mile down the road, yet it took over and hour. So close, yet so far. “Bummer!”

We visited (8) different snorkel sites. I had heard of sea snakes, now we can say we saw one. It was creepy. Kokomo Beach was our favorite snorkel spot. The sand beach made for easy access, and the coral reef was thick with many species of fish. Kokomo was the only snorkeling destination that provided showers, toilets, and a fine restaurant. A security person monitored the parking lot. I’m not sure how necessary that was, but comforting no the less.

We used an Uber for the first time getting to and from the MSP airport. Uber is great. The transportation “Big Win” happened at Miame. We were upgraded from coach to first class. :::smile::: :::smile:::

Willemstad shopping area.You hear and see “Dushi” often in Curacao. Dushi is Papiamento for tasty, babe, sweet, and nice.Mikvé Israel-Emanuel SynagogueNote the sand floor.Eight of Curaçao’s forts have survived time, wholly or partially.

Kia Picanto complete with on board navigator.

A cairn is a human-made pile (or stack) of stones. Cairns have been and are used for a broad variety of purposes, from prehistoric times to the present.

Kokomo beach. Around the point we saw lots of coral and fish here.View from Kokomo beach restaurant..Kokomo beachTo date the water clarity at Curaçao was the best of or visits in the Caribbean.

We do love the Caribbean Sea.Elkhorn coral. This coral is considered to be one of the most important reef-building corals in the Caribbean. 10 foot depthSnork DanA Minnesota Mermaid. Very rare.

Westpunt is the name of the westernmost point of the island of CuraçaoEnvironmentalist tagging.Desolate, high cliffs with roaring ocean waves carving the rock. A majestic and beautiful sight, The weather was sunny and bright,Shete Boka National Park. It was worth stopping to see the large waves crash onto the rocky shoreline, which looks like another planet.Typical Curacao sand beach.Yes, we wear sun bonnets and UV safe rash guard tops. The swim tops helped for warmth. Even though we were further south closer to the equator, the water was colder.This is a very large school of fish. Best guess is 50 feet wide and 150 feet in length. Some times 1 foot thick, some areas were 3 feet thick with fish. Very impressive. Note sea turtle at top of photo.Lloyd Bridges, NOT.Scuba humor.Another day at the beach coming to a close.Resterant view (Sea Side Terrace).Leaving Miami. Being upgraded to 1st class provides for a better view. No wing.Approaching MSP airport. Mendota Bridge with ST Paul in the background. Notably more brown than Miami.